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Hymn
“The Day of Resurrection” “Άναστάσεως ήμέρα”; Author — John of Damascus (c. 750); Tr. — John M. Neal (1863, alt.); Tune — LANCASHIRE; Henry Smart
1 The day of resurrection,
Earth, tell it out abroad,
The Passover of gladness,
The Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
From this world to the sky,
Our Christ hath bro’t us over
With hymns of victory.
2 Our hearts be pure from evil
That we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal
Of resurrection light
And, list’ning to His accents,
May hear, so calm and plain,
His own “All hail!” and, hearing,
May raise the victor strain.
3 Now let the heav’ns be joyful,
Let earth her song begin,
Let all the world keep triumph
And all that is therein.
Let all things, seen and unseen,
Their notes of gladness blend;
For Christ the Lord hath risen,—
Our joy that hath no end.
Invocation
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +
C: Amen.
Confession
P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C: Who made heaven and earth.
P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;
C: And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
All: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed. Therefore, we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
P: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given His only-begotten Son to die for us, and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in His Name, He gives power to become the sons of God, and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes, and is baptized, shall be saved.
P: Grant this, Lord, unto us all. C: Amen.
Psalm
Psalm 147:1-11
1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises | to our God; *For it is pleasant, and praise is | beautiful. 2 The LORD builds up Jer | usalem; *He gathers together the outcasts of | Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds | up their wounds. *4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them | all by name. 5 Great is our Lord, and | mighty in power; *His understanding is | infinite. 6 The LORD lifts up the | humble; *He casts the wicked down | to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanks | giving; *Sing praises on the harp | to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain | for the earth, *Who makes grass to grow on the | mountains. 9 He gives to the | beast its food, *And to the young ravens | that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength | of the horse; *He takes no pleasure in the legs | of a man. 11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who | fear Him, *In those who hope in His | mercy. Glory be to the Father, and | to the Son, *and to the Holy | Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now and | ever shall be, *world without end. | Amen.
Kyrie
C: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect
P: O compassionate Savior, You died for our sins, rose again and ascended to the right hand of God the Father in heaven. Comfort us with the good news that, though we may sorrow now in this world, in a little while You will come again and bring us safely into Your everlasting kingdom, where we will have everlasting joy for the sake of Your blood, shed for us upon the cross. We give thanks and praise to You, the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. C: Amen.
Catechism Lesson — Of Sin.
94. Of how many kinds is sin? Of two kinds, original sin and actual sin.
95. What is original sin? It is that sin which we have inherited from Adam, the total depravity of our whole human nature, which is now deprived of its concreated righteousness, inclined to all that is evil, and subject to damnation.
157) Ps. 51:5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
158) John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
159) Rom. 7:18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.
160) Gen. 8:21. The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.
161) Eph. 2:3. We all … were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
96. What is actual sin? Every transgression of the divine Law in desires, thoughts, words, and deeds.
162) Matt. 15:19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
163) James 4:17. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
97. How may we, then, be made free from sin, righteous, and heirs of salvation? Not by the works of the Law, but by faith.
164) Rom. 10:4. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Scripture Readings
Lamentations 3:22-33
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. 28 Let him sit alone and keep silent, because God has laid it on him; 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope. 30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, and be full of reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
1 Peter 2:11-20
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
John 16:16-23
16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Apostles’ Creed
All: I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn
“Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” Αϊσωμεν, πάντεζ λαοί; Author — John of Damascus (c, 750); Tr. — John M. Neale (1859, alt. ab.) Tune — Ave Virgo Virginum
1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness.
loosed from Pharoah’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.
2 ‘Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ hath burst his prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death
as a sun has risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom is giv’n
laud and praise undying.
3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection!
4 For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
nor the tomb’s dark portal
nor the watchers nor the seal
hold Him as a mortal.
5 Alleluia! Now we cry
to our King immortal,
who, triumphant, burst the bars
of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness!
Sermon
Dear fellow-redeemed sinners, ransomed by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Little While
John 16:16-23
16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
On the night when Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples these words in John 16:16: “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”
Even though Jesus had often explained that He would be betrayed into the hands of the chief priests and scribes, be condemned to death, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day (Matt. 20:18-19), his disciples did not understand what He meant when He said, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father” (v. 16; cf. v. 17-19).
Jesus explained briefly in verses 20-22: “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”
What Jesus meant became clear to them only after it came to pass, when Jesus appeared to them on that first Easter evening and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).
That “little while” began on that very night when Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. It continued as Jesus was tried, condemned, crucified and laid in the tomb. Jesus had been taken from His disciples and crucified. He was dead and enclosed in a tomb! All appeared to be hopeless and their faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah and Savior was crushed.
And they had great sorrow because Jesus, in whom they had trusted and whom they had followed for three years was now dead. And they, His own disciples, had betrayed Him, denied Him and fled from Him in fear for their own lives! And now Jesus was taken from them and gone — their faith and hopes were dashed!
As Jesus said, “you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.” The disciples of Jesus sorrowed but the world rejoiced at the death of Jesus.
No longer would the enemies of Jesus have to hear Him pointing out their sinfulness, their hypocrisy and their need to repent and to look to God for mercy and forgiveness. No longer would they have to hear Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and their Messiah and Savior and the only way of salvation!
But the disciples’ sorrow and the world’s rejoicing were short lived! The disciples’ sorrow was turned into joy when they saw Jesus alive from the dead on the third day? And their rejoicing grew, even more, when Jesus opened up their hearts and minds to understand the Scriptures and they came to understand what Jesus had accomplished through His death and resurrection — that He had made full atonement for the sins of all and was risen again in victory that all who repent and look to Jesus for pardon and forgiveness could have God’s pardon and peace and the certain hope of being raised up again unto everlasting life (cf. Luke 24:44ff.; Rom. 4:23ff.; 1 John 2:1f.; 1 Cor.15:20ff; 1 Pet. 1:3ff.).
Like a woman in pain as she gives birth forgets that pain and rejoices when her child is born, so the pain and anguish — the sorrow — suffered by Jesus’ disciples was nothing in comparison to their joy when He appeared to them alive again, having won salvation for all!
But, imagine the shock when the chief priests and elders of the Jews heard the soldiers’ report of an angel, the stone rolled back and an empty tomb (cf. Matt. 28:2-4,11-15)! Their rejoicing was turned to fear because Jesus had risen from the dead as He said, proving He truly is the Son of God and that His words and teaching are true!
These words of Jesus about the “little while” have yet another application that applies to all of us. On the 40th day after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven and was exalted to His position of power and glory at the right hand of God the Father.
We cannot see Him now but He is present with us and rules over all that He might establish His everlasting kingdom (cf. Matt. 28:16-20; Eph. 1:18-23). He sends His ministers to call people to repent and believe the Gospel of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting through faith in the crucified and risen Savior! He sends out His Holy Spirit, who works through the Word to convict people of their sins and to assure them of forgiveness and life through faith in Jesus and His cross (cf. Eph. 1:3ff.; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).
But, as we live out the remainder of our lives here in this world, our lives are full of sorrow and pain. Not only are we ridiculed by the world for our faith in Christ Jesus, but some are also even persecuted and suffer for their faith. Large numbers are still killed today because of their testimony regarding Jesus and His doctrine — especially in Islamic countries.
Sometimes we may even lose sight of Jesus and all He accomplished for us. We may forget that He is with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20), and will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
But our sorrows and all our suffering will be turned to joy when we see Jesus coming again in the clouds of glory. The world will weep and lament, but we will lift up our heads in joy (cf. Rev. 1:7; Luke 21:28).
St. Paul assures us in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Now, we may weep and sorrow as we suffer in this world and are under constant attack by the devil and his evil angels, by the unbelieving world and even from our old sinful flesh which causes us to doubt and despair and seeks to lure us back into sin.
That is why the Scriptures warn us in 1 Peter 2:11: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”
And the world (all who remain impenitent and without faith in Christ Jesus for mercy) rejoices. The world rejoices to see the true church diminish in numbers and influence. The world rejoices when the true message of the Bible is silenced or contradicted because, then, people don’t have to hear of their sinfulness and of their need to repent and look to Jesus for salvation. People rejoice because they can continue on in their sinful ways without being reminded of their guilt and the coming judgment of God upon them.
To paraphrase the words of John 3:19, people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil and they do not wish to have their sinful ways exposed by the light of God’s Word.
Though the world rejoices now as Christianity and the true preaching of God’s Word appears to wane in the face of constant attack, this rejoicing will be short lived because, in “a little while,” Jesus will return in judgment. In the words of Revelation 1:7, “He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.”
But, though we, like Peter after He denied Jesus, may weep and sorrow in this world because of our own sins and failures, though we may be troubled because of the world’s hatred and persecution, though we may sorrow as our loved ones die and we too face temporal death, our sorrow will be turned to joy when Christ Jesus returns to receive us into His everlasting kingdom of glory.
The Bible assures us this in the words of Revelation 21:3-4: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’”
Or, in the words of Revelation 7:13-17: “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
For a little while, we may grieve and sorrow — though we still have hope because we know Jesus rose from the dead and will return to raise us up and give us the everlasting joys of heaven. But, in a little while, when Jesus comes again, we shall rejoice with joy inexpressible!
As the psalmist writes in Psalm 16:11: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
We thank You, dear Lord Jesus, for the comfort of knowing that our sorrows are only for a little while, that in a little while You will appear again in the clouds of glory to receive us and all who have trusted in Your name to the everlasting joys of heaven. Grant us Your Holy Spirit and the faith to believe the Gospel promises of forgiveness and life eternal for the sake of your blood, shed upon the cross for the sins of the world. Amen.
P: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Offertory
ALL: Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Amen.
General Prayer
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. (Brief silence)
Almighty and eternal God, worthy to be held in reverence by all people everywhere, we give You humble and sincere thanks for the innumerable blessings You have bestowed on us without any merit or worthiness on our part. We praise You especially for preserving for us Your saving Word and the Holy Sacraments. Grant and preserve to Your Holy Church throughout the world purity of doctrine, and provide faithful pastors to preach Your Word with power. Help all who hear the Word rightly to understand and truly to believe it. Send laborers into Your harvest, and open the door of faith to those who do not know You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, in mercy, bring to repentance the enemies of Your Church, and grant them amendment of life. Protect and defend Your Church in all tribulation and danger, and sustain with Your Spirit our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who experience persecution. Strengthen us and all fellow Christians to set our hope fully on the grace revealed in Christ, and help us to fight the good fight of faith, that in the end we may receive the salvation of our souls. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, bestow Your grace on all nations of the earth. Bless especially our country, its inhabitants and all who are in authority. Let Your glory dwell in our land, that mercy and truth, righteousness and peace may abound in all places. Bless also all who serve in our armed forces, that they may serve with integrity and honor. Protect the doctors, nurses, first responders and scientific researchers who are working to address the pandemic. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Compassionate Lord, graciously defend us from all calamity by fire and water, from war and pestilence, from scarcity and famine, and from every other evil. Protect and prosper all who labor in their rightful callings, and let all useful arts flourish among us. Be the God and Father of the lonely and the forsaken; the helper of the sick, needy and unemployed; and the comforter of the distressed and those who sorrow. Look with mercy upon those who have requested our prayers, that they may ever cling to Jesus as their sure and certain hope. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant Your Holy Spirit to those who come to the Lord’s table this day, that they may receive the very body and blood of Jesus Christ in sincere repentance and firm faith, and to their abundant blessing. Look with kindness on those who cannot gather, and bring them together again at Your table soon. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, as we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, help us by true faith and a godly life to prepare for the world to come, doing the work You have given us to do while it is day, before the night comes when no one can work. And when our last hour comes, support us by Your power and receive us into Your heavenly Kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (From the New King James Version, Matthew 6)
(or)
Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction
P: The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn
“In Thee Is Gladness” Author — Johann Lindemann (1598); Tr. Catherine Winkworth; Tune — In Dir Ist Freude; Author — Giovanni G. Gastoldi (about 1591)
1 In Thee is gladness amid all sadness,
Jesus, daystar of my heart!
By Thee are given the gifts of heaven,
Thou the true Redeemer art!
Our souls thou wakest; our bonds Thou breakest.
Who trusts Thee surely has built securely
and stands forever: Alleluia!
Our hearts are longing to see Thy dawning.
Living or dying, in Thee abiding,
naught can us sever:
Alleluia!
2 Jesus is ours! We fear no powers,
not of earth or sin or death.
He sees and blesses in worst distresses;
He can change them with a breath.
Wherefore the story — tell of his glory
with hearts and voices; all heaven rejoices
in Him forever: Alleluia!
We shout for gladness, triumph o’er sadness,
love Him and praise Him, and still shall raise Him glad hymns forever:
Alleluia!
[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]